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The U.S. Coast Guard at Normandy

June 6, 1944 and After

"Into the Jaws of Death."

A photo by CPHOM Robert F. Sargent, USCGR.
U.S. Army troops disembark from a Coast Guard-manned LCVP
from the USS Samuel Chase (APA-26) on the
morning of 6 June 1944
at the Easy Red sector of Omaha Beach.
Coast Guard Photo No. 2343.

General Historical Information:

Photo Galleries of Official U.S. Coast Guard, Navy and Army imagery:
Volume
One (Preparations, Rescue Flotilla One & LCI(L) Flotilla 4);
Volume
Two (LCVPs in combat & LSTs unloading at the beaches); &
Volume
Three (misc. images.)

The oral history of John
Roberts, an African-American Coast Guard veteran who served on board
a Coast Guard-manned LCI at Omaha Beach, Normandy on D-Day. He was
grievously wounded by German shellfire but survived. His oral history
was conducted by Dr. Douglas Kroll, USCG Auxiliary.

"LCI's Are Veterans Now."
A war-time article written by an officer who served with LCI(L)
Flotilla 4/10. In it he describes the Flotilla's experiences during the
invasions of Sicily, Italy, and France.

"Everything Was More Than
Reality." A 40th anniversary
Washington Times article covering the D-Day experiences of the
commanding officer of LCI(L)-85, LTJG Coit Hendley. In it he describes,
in moving detail, his D-Day experiences, which included the combat loss
of his command.

Excerpts from a Diary. Read
what it was like to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day from excerpts from the
diary of Motor-Machinist's Mate First Class Clifford Lewis, a crewman of
LCI(L)-94.

LCI(L)-94 at Normandy: An account written by the son of one of the
passengers delivered to Normandy aboard the LCI(L)-94 on D-Day.

A Letter Home:
An uncensored letter written by a Coast Guardsman in which he describes
Flotilla 4/10's operations prior to D-Day.

A Letter Home:
A letter from a veteran of Flotilla 4/10 to his minister in which he
describes life in the Flotilla before the Normandy invasion.

Official Documents, Including Action Reports,
Loss of Ship Reports & Other Primary Sources:

Official Action & Loss of Ship Report:
The report written by LTJG Coit Hendley, commanding officer of
LCI(L)-85, about his vessel's participation in and loss during the
landings at Omaha Beach on 6 June 1944.

Action Report: RM 3/c Leroy C. Bowen
of LCI(L)-83 wrote to his commanding officer about the carnage that was
Omaha Beach on D-Day.

Official Award Recommendation:
The award recommendation for Seaman 1/c Gene C. Oxley, a crewman on
board the LCI(L)-85, that details his incredibly heroic actions on
D-Day.

Official Action Report: The original
report written by the commanding officer of the Coast Guard-manned
LCI(L)-88 about his vessel's participation in the landings on the
Normandy beaches, 6 June 1944.

Official Action Report: The original report written by the
commanding officer of the Coast Guard-manned LCI(L)-91 about his
vessel's participation in & loss during the landings at Omaha Beach,
Normandy, 6 June 1944.

Official Loss of Ship Report: The
original report written by the commanding officer of the Coast
Guard-manned LCI(L)-91 about the loss of his vessel in combat on D-Day.

Official Casualty Report:
The original report written by the commanding officer of the Coast
Guard-manned LCI(L)-91 concerning the D-Day casualties among his crew.

Official Award Recommendation: The original award recommendation
request submitted by the commanding officer of LCI(L)-91 for members of
his crew for their actions on D-Day.

Official Award Recommendation: The
original award recommendation for the commanding officer of LCI(L)-91,
LTJG Arend Vyn, that details his heroic action on 6 June 1944.